This must be L O V E
Title: This Must Be L O V E
Pairing: Chen/Suho
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Length: 1,406
Summary: Today would be the day. Today would be the day Kim Junmyeon would confess his love to Kim Jongdae. / Based on this prompt
A warm breeze blew through the green trees of Junmyeon’s high school courtyard. The spring sunshine filtered through the leaves, leaving patterns that danced across the pavement as he waited. Today would be the day. Today would be the day Kim Junmyeon would confess his love to Kim Jongdae.
Their first meeting was innocent enough. Senior and mutual friend, Kim Minseok, had recommended Jongdae sign up for peer tutoring after many failed attempts to help him with his algebra. Minseok had also said to specifically ask for Kim Junmyeon. “He is in the year bellow me and a wiz at algebra.”
When Junmyeon had walked into the empty assigned classroom, Jongdae had been sitting at a random desk, head resting on one arm as he scrolled through his phone. Junmyeon had cleared his throat and said “Kim Jongdae?”
What Junmyeon didn’t realise was that the warm fuzzy feeling he felt when Jongdae had sat up and smiled brightly-eyes crinkling at the corners and head nodding enthusiastically-was the feeling of Jongdae setting up home in his heart.
Their first session had gone smoothly enough. Jongdae had listened intently to Junmyeon’s instructions and advice, eyebrows furrowing cutely when he didn’t understand. It wasn’t until after the session-when they had said their awkward goodbyes and still ended up walking in the same direction-that Junmyeon had found out that Jongdae took the same route home walking from school.
So now here Junmyeon was, two years later and waiting for Jongdae in the courtyard. It had become a routine that they had stuck to long after their tutoring sessions had finished. Junmyeon still remembers the day Jongdae had rushed down the hall one morning before homeroom, shoving a crumpled algebra exam with a big A+ into his face. Junmyeon still remembers the way Jongdae had flung his arms around him and hugged him tight.
“What are you smiling about hyung?” The familiar sound of Jongdae’s voice startles Junmyeon out of his day dream.
“It’s nothing.” He says, avoiding the strange look Jongdae was giving him. “Let’s go.”
Living in a small town did have its perks. Even though the walk home was long, the streets were tranquil and lined with shady trees and cherry blossoms. Junmyeon trailed behind as Jongdae practically skipped ahead, singing Roy Kim’s “Spring, Spring, Spring” as he went. Jongdae’s sweet voice filled the silence of the empty street.
(It was another late afternoon in the piano room, Jongdae belting out notes that come out flat each time as Junmyeon cringed at the piano. Jongdae let out a frustrated groan and sunk to the floor, sitting with his knees against his chest.
“What if I can’t do it Hyung? What if I make a fool of myself at my first school festival?” Jongdae let out a shaky exhale.
“Jongdae that would never happen. I won’t let it. And if you do make a fool of yourself, I will jump up on the piano and start dancing to make myself look ten times more foolish.” Junmyeon sat down beside Jongdae, hand coming up to pat the top of his head.
Jongdae let out a weak laugh, lifting his head to peek up at Junmyeon. “But hyung, you are a terrible dancer.”
“Says who?” Junmyeon gasps in mock surprise.
Jongdae laughs again, louder and more like himself. “What would I do without you hyung?” he whispers.
Junmyeon tries to swallow down the lump forming in his throat.)
“Hyung you’re doing it again.”
Junmyeon looks up to see Jongdae closer than before, eyeing him sceptically.
“Doing what?” Junmyeon mirrors Jongdae’s expression.
“Smiling to yourself. You look like a creep who lures kids with candy.” Jongdae laughs as he playfully punches Junmyeon’s shoulder.
Junmyeon reaches out to do the same but he was too late, Jongdae already dancing away from his grasp as he lets out a loud bark of laughter.
As they walk further down they reach a small stone wall-just high enough to reach Junmyeon’s waist-which Jongdae always walks along, much to Junmyeon’s dismay.
(“Would you catch me I fell hyung?” Jongdae says as he teeters along the edge of the wall.
Junmyeon clicked his tongue in disapproval. “Don’t be silly Jongdae, you are going to hurt yourself.”
“Not if you catch me.” Jongdae laughs as he faces Junmyeon, leaning down with his arms stretched out towards him.
“I should just let you fall to teach you a lesson.” Junmyeon says as he crosses his arms over his chest, taking a step back.
“You would never do that,” Jongdae smiles down at Junmyeon, his hair falling forward into his eyes as the sun shines down behind him, “you’re too nice. Besides, you love your precious dongsaeng too much to let me get hurt.”
Junmyeon tries to shake off the familiar warm feeling as he grabs Jongdae’s forearms, letting him use his shoulders as leverage to jump down.
“Yeah,” he says softly, “I do.”)
Jongdae abruptly stops walking, turning to Junmyeon with a look of determination. “Hyung, why don’t you ever walk along the wall with me?”
Junmyeon chews his bottom lip. “You know my balance sucks.”
Jongdae lets out his distinct laugh, reaching his hand down to Junmyeon. “I won’t let you fall.”
Junmyeon feels heat rise to his face, any protests dying on his tongue as he looks up into Jongdae’s warm eyes. He takes Jongdae’s hand and is unceremoniously hauled up onto the wall, already unsteady on his feet.
“Here hyung hold on.” Jongdae reaches behind himself and grabs Junmyeon’s wrists, guiding his hands around his backpack and to his waist.
Junmyeon is glad Jongdae has his back turned to him, his face heating up further.
“Hold on tight hyung!” Jongdae calls over his shoulder as they continue on their way.
(“What’s it like to be in love?” Jongdae asks as he and Junmyeon sit on the grass at their local park one weekend.
Junmyeon almost chokes on the water he was drinking, water spilling from the bottle and down his front. “Why would you ask me of all people?”
Jongdae sniggers at the wet patch on Junmyeon’s clean shirt. “You know a lot about weird topics, hyung.”
“Well, I guess you get nervous and stuff when you see them,” Junmyeon hears Jongdae snort and shoots him a side glance, “and you want to see them all the time.”
“Go on.” Jongdae is practically smirking now, enjoying watching Junmyeon become flustered.
Junmyeon knits his eyebrows together in concentration. “When you’re in love with someone, you keep stealing glances at them, hoping they don’t catch you, but at the same time you want them to. Even if you are someone who doesn’t smile often, you find yourself smiling just thinking about them. Even if you aren’t with them your mind kind of wanders to them, wondering what they are doing and if they are happy,” Junmyeon chances a glance at Jongdae, “that’s what I think love is anyway.” Junmyeon looks away, suddenly feeling exposed and self-conscious.
When Junmyeon looks at Jongdae again his smirk is gone, an unreadable expression gracing his features instead.
“I see. Thanks hyung.”)
Turning a corner, Junmyeon and Jongdae reach the latter’s house. This is Junmyeon’s chance. He thinks about all the times during the last two years he has been in the same position, waiting for just the right moment to confess. They walk down the path to Jongdae’s door.
“Ok, well, bye hyung.” Jongdae smiles and gives a small wave.
Jongdae is about to turn around when Junmyeon yells “Wait!”
Jongdae startles and whips his head around, confusion written all over his face.
“I…” I like you. I love you. I want to be with you forever. I want you to be mine. I may or may not want to kiss you a lot. God dammit Junmyeon say anything.
Junmyeon sighs. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Today is not the day he will confess to Kim Jongdae.
As Junmyeon turns away to walk shamefully home, he feels something warm brush against his hand. Jongdae hesitantly links his fingers with Junmyeon’s, smiling down at his feet as a pretty pink blush spreads to his ears.
“Why don’t you come inside, hyung? My mum bought some of that tea you like.” Jongdae mumbles, pointedly looking anywhere but Junmyeon’s eyes.
Junmyeon smiles brightly, nodding as Jongdae pulls him inside. Maybe today wasn't the day that Junmyeon confessed to Kim Jongdae, but just maybe, he doesn't have to.